VOTER ID CLAIM PROCESS WITH THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC)
A comprehensive Philippine legal overview (update: 30 April 2025)

1. What exactly is a “Voter ID” today?

Legacy PVC card (1997-2017). The green-and-white plastic card mandated by §12 of the Voters’ Registration Act of 1996 (R.A. 8189). Printing was indefinitely suspended under COMELEC Resolution 10159 (Jan. 2017) to avoid duplicating the forthcoming Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID under R.A. 11055 (2018). (How to Get Voter’s ID or Certification Philippines)
Voter Certification (2018-present). A security-paper certificate with dry seal and QR code, issued on-demand by any Office of the Election Officer (OEO) or by COMELEC-Main. It is now the de facto substitute for the PVC card. (How to Get Voter’s ID or Certification Philippines)
Digital Overseas Voter’s ID (2024-present). A PDF file bearing a QR-coded image of the old card, downloadable through Philippine embassies/consulates on request. (DIGITAL OVERSEAS VOTER’S ID NOW AVAILABLE - Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines)
Planned e-Voter ID / revival of physical cards (target: late 2025). COMELEC announced it is studying the re-issuance of a card—initially for overseas Filipinos—featuring 32 security elements, with funding to be synced with the 2025 budget. (Comelec eyes return of voter's ID issuance | Philippine News Agency)

2. Legal foundations

Instrument	Key provisions on the ID	Current relevance
R.A. 8189 (1996)	§§10-12 direct COMELEC to issue a “permanent and secure” voter ID after biometrics capture.	Still the enabling law; never repealed. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)
R.A. 10367 (2013)	Makes biometrics submission mandatory; “no biometrics, no vote.”	Links biometrics database to any form of voter ID. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)
COMELEC Res. 10159 (2017)	Formally halts PVC printing “until further notice.”	Basis for today’s certification regime. (How to Get Voter’s ID or Certification Philippines)
R.A. 11055 (PhilSys, 2018)	Declares the PhilID “sufficient proof of identity in all government transactions.”	Catalyst for the ID moratorium; framework for future QR overlay on the PhilID. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)

Relevant jurisprudence: Vidal v. COMELEC (G.R. 205273, 2013) upheld the biometrics requirement; Kabataan Party-List v. COMELEC (G.R. 221565, 2015) forced re-opening of registration and indirectly enlarged the PVC backlog. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)

3. Chronology in a nutshell

1997-2002 – Pilot PVC roll-out in Metro Manila.
2003-2011 – Nationwide biometrics capture and incremental printing.
2012-Jun 2016 – Mass production; about 26 million cards printed, yet 15 million remained in queue.
Jul 2017 – Production freeze via Res. 10159.
2018-2023 – Certification era (₱75 fee; waived for seniors/PWD/indigents).
2024-present – “PVC release follow-up”: field offices ordered to distribute the 3.2 million cards still on hand; no new cards yet. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)

4. Claiming a legacy PVC Voter ID (printed ≤ July 2017)

Confirm availability. Check the precinct finder or the local “IDs for release” list; have your precinct number ready.
Appear in person at the OEO where you originally registered. Bring:
- Any valid photo ID or the old claim stub; and
- If authorizing a proxy: a special power of attorney + photocopies of both IDs.
Sign the logbook and receive the card.
- Cards unclaimed for ≥ 5 years may be disposed of per COMELEC Circular 22-076, so act promptly. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)

Tip: If you registered or reactivated after 2017, no card exists to claim; proceed straight to a Voter Certification.

5. Securing a Voter Certification (current standard)

Eligibility. Any active voter; deactivated voters may still request one (it will state “DEACTIVATED”). Overseas Filipinos may file through embassies/consulates. (How to Get Voter’s ID or Certification Philippines)

Step-by-step (regular applicants): (How to Get Voter’s ID or Certification Philippines)

Book an online appointment via the Voter Certification Online Appointment System (slots open 30 days ahead).
Appear at the OEO with: one government ID; digital/printed appointment slip; ₱75 fee (cashier’s official receipt).
- Fee waivers: seniors, PWDs, and indigent voters (barangay certificate) pay ₱0 under COMELEC Res. 10828 §5 and R.A. 10754/9994.
Biometric verification. Fingerprint & signature scan; no new photo required.
Printing & dry seal. The certificate is embossed and QR-stickered while you wait; same-day release for “clean” records (Memo MC25-019).
Pickup/representation. Anyone claiming for you must present an authorization letter, photocopies of IDs, and the original acknowledgment stub.

Validity. Legally open-ended, but most agencies prefer documents not older than six (6) months.

6. Replacement when the card/certification is lost or damaged

Requirement	Plastic card era	Today’s certification	Notes
CEF-1R (Application for Replacement)	✔	N/A (short request slip)	Still accepted if you bring one.
Affidavit of Loss	✔	✔	Free if executed before the Election Officer; ₱300-₱500 if notarized outside.
Government ID	✔	✔	PhilID, passport, UMID, etc.
Damaged fragments (if any)	✔	N/A	Waives the affidavit.
Fee	Historically free	₱75 (same waivers)	Reprinting a PVC, if allowed, may take 3-6 months.

Filing is barred during the 45-day “no-registration” period before a regular election and the 30-day period before a special election. (Replacement of Lost Voter ID COMELEC Philippines)

7. Overseas Filipino voters

Digital OV ID (PDF). Request by e-mail (format: “Request for Digital OV ID – [Name / DOB]”) from the embassy/consulate holding your record. No hard copies are printed. (DIGITAL OVERSEAS VOTER’S ID NOW AVAILABLE - Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines)
Physical pickup of legacy PVC cards. Some posts (e.g., The Hague) still hold unclaimed cards; personal appearance or prepaid courier arrangement is required. (Voters IDs are available for claiming - Philippine Embassy)

8. Fees & exemptions (2025 schedule)

Voter Certification: ₱75
Authentication (apostille route): ₱100 (DFA-OCA)
Notarization by COMELEC Clerk of Commission (optional): ₱200
₀ fee for senior citizens, PWDs, and indigent voters. (How to Get Voter’s ID or Certification Philippines)

9. Upcoming reforms & practical take-aways

Possible return of a high-security physical card in 2025, starting with overseas voters; watch for funding in the 2025 GAA. (Comelec eyes return of voter's ID issuance | Philippine News Agency)
QR-overlay on the PhilID is COMELEC’s preferred long-term solution; expect enabling rules once PhilSys coverage hits critical mass. (COMELEC PVC Voter ID Release Follow-Up Philippines)
Act now if you:
- Registered before mid-2017 but never claimed the PVC card (OEOs are clearing inventories).
- Need a government-issued ID quickly – the security-paper certification is normally a same-day transaction.
Keep records updated. Failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections triggers deactivation; you must reactivate before any new ID/certification is issued.

10. Key compliance tips for lawyers, HR officers, and banks

Accept either the legacy PVC, a fresh Voter Certification, or (for OFWs) the digital OV ID as “valid government ID” unless KYC rules require two.
Check the QR code on certifications; it links to COMELEC’s registry for instant validation.
For apostille use abroad, ensure the Certification carries the embossed dry seal; notarize it at COMELEC-Main before DFA processing.

Bottom line: The paper-based Voter Certification is presently the only universally available proof of voter registration, but millions of legacy PVC cards remain claimable—and a high-security digital/physical successor is on COMELEC’s drawing board. Claim what is available to you now, stay active in the registry, and monitor COMELEC circulars as the 2025 election cycle approaches.